Trump was elected President. Now what?
Dominick Reuter / Reuters
It’s a frenzy of emotions out there. I’m sorry this presidential election burst your bubble, but I’m also happy that it did. I’m happy you’re uncomfortable. And I’m happy that you wish and hope for better. But now what? This article is short and concise because after you read this, I want you to get off the internet and social media, and engage with those around you. You're not alone.
1. Stop the blame game.
- Stop blaming non-voters or third party voters. Their disbelief in a corrupt two-party system did not elect Donald Trump. White supremacy elected him.
- Hillary Clinton won the popular vote! That means a majority of US voters did not want Trump to be president. But the Electoral College majority elected Donald Trump. Learn how federal voting works and let that sink in.
- They want us to blame each other because it's a great distraction from the real problem - the US political system.
- Lastly, “Be careful with each other, so you can be dangerous together.” - Black Panther Party
2. Accept that white America has been this way.
- This is not new for many people living in America. You did not wake up in a new America - this is the same America that incarcerates and murders Black people with impunity, that deports immigrated people, that does not protect sexual assault victims, that does not welcome refugees, that bombs and pillages other nations. If you are just now ashamed to be an American, good morning. I’m glad you’ve waken up.
- White America has always been racist, sexist, mysogynistic, homophobic, xenophobic, you name it. That is what this country was founded on (the exploitation of others). That’s why the KKK has been a highly organized movement since the Emancipation Proclamation. That’s why there are 800+ US military bases all over the world - to serve and protect the ruling class.
- I’m only disappointed that you’re disappointed because you actually had faith in America “doing the right thing”. Stop waiting for white America to do the right thing.
3. Know that this is not the end. This is the beginning.
- Let the racists identify themselves. The whole "post-racial society" for the past 8 years was a facade for complacency. And quite difficult to navigate to be frank. It’s better we know outright who believes in Trump’s ideals (read: white supremacy) than to pretend they don’t exist.
- And stop deleting or blocking your racist Facebook friends. We can’t just turn off the rest of the world and make a cozy bubble for us to be in because it feels good. Accept the reality that the majority of white America believes this way.
- Staying woke was just the precursor. Now it’s time to get up and act. With kindness. With compassion. With vigor. With strategy. Unrelentlessly.
- Stop fear-mongering. This is not a post-apocalyptic scene from a movie. That’s the exact tactic that Trump uses to instill violence in his racist followers. It creates chaos, misguided anger and derails us from a unified objective. There is only one thing to be afraid about - the complex system that upholds racism, patriarchy, misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, etc. Address the beast by being clear about who and what the enemy truly is: US imperialism.
- Collectivize and organize with your community. Start believing in the power of the people. Start listening to the youth. Start looking toward a future that you are a part of building.
WE GON BE ALRIGHT. Because I have more faith and hope in the community that organizes on the ground than I do in the unstable powers that uphold white America. If you're cynical and skeptical, be cynical and skeptical towards our voting system - not our people. “If voting made a difference, they wouldn’t let us do it.” May the burning of this empire bring you warmth. Onwards!